Today in the U S., it’s Thanksgiving. I’m thankful, as always, for my family. My guys are good to me. Family, of course, includes the four-legged variety. I am so grateful this year that I took a chance.

I was looking for another orange cat, having had two (Raymond and Ginger) who were my best buddies. Not finding one right away, I had several stops and starts, cats I inquired about and was supposed to go see but backed out for some reason. It didn’t feel right.

Then I saw Dalai. She wasn’t pretty, and she wasn’t really orange. They had her listed at various times as an orange tiger and a red tabby. She’s buff colored. She’d been known by many names – Honey Bear, Dalai and April are the ones listed on her paperwork. I’m not sure of her history and how she got where she was.

She came in with two kittens. Then they gave her two more motherless scraps to foster. She nursed all four of them. When I met her, she was reclusive and shy, underfed, gentle and timid. I didn’t even get a good look at her. She wouldn’t come out of the cat tree she was hiding in. I talked to her for several minutes and chanced reaching in to touch her. She purred the entire time.

While this was going on, the four kittens wandered around and hid, too. I was talking to the foster parent when the little male kitten, also described as a red tabby but creamy like his Mommy, climbed right up my leg to get into my face. I had no intention of adopting a kitten ever. They were too much work, my house is too cluttered, and I have an elderly bird.

This kitten would not be denied. When I told the foster that I’d take a chance and take Dalai, I looked down at the kitten clinging to my t-shirt and said, “Too bad you’re spoken for because you’re cute as a button.” As it turned out, Dakin also known as Alex, wasn’t yet claimed. The people who had been scheduled to come see him backed out. He was available. I’d never been chosen by a cat before. I always picked them.

Since Dalai was so shy, I thought having Dakin with her would help. He became mine, too.

Dalai became Nutmeg (Meg). Dakin became Dash (a dash of nutmeg). I am glad I took them both. The adoption fee was waived on Mommy. She’s the best free cat I ever got.

They keep us amused with their antics every day. I can’t imagine life without them.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Yes, he’s under the covers. He’s just weird.